RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT By Marianne Zak Meet our own “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” Colonel, USAF Retired, Jim (James) Mecsics of Torrey Pines Lane. Jim was born in New Jersey. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology/chemistry in 1972 and a Master of Science degree in criminal justice in 1980. He completed his doctoral studies at Texas A&M University. He completed the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, 145th Session; the Law Enforcement Executive Development Program; the Harvard University Leadership for the Twenty-First Century Program; as well as the Police Executive Research Forum’s/Harvard University Senior Management Institute for Police and the Southern Police Institute. He joined the Air Force in 1975 and is a distinguished graduate of the USAF Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, Marine Corps Command and General Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the USAF Air War College. Jim retired from the Air Force in 2002 with the rank of Colonel. After retirement from the USAF, Jim became Vice President of Global Security and Chief Security Officer for Equifax. Working with the Federal Trade Commission, he enacted numerous safeguards against identity theft and is a subject-matter expert in financial and personal data protection. He is Chief Executive Officer of Mecsics & Associates, LLC, in Winter Haven, FL. It is a security, law enforcement, business continuity, emergency preparedness, and general management consulting company. Jim met his bride, Judith, in high school, and they were married for 42 years. They raised two wonderful children. After retiring, they moved to Lake Ashton in 2007. Unfortunately, in 2013, Judi died of breast cancer. Judi’s sisters, Gretchen and Susan Frantz, also reside in LA East, and Jim and Judi’s sisters are blessed to enjoy each other’s company. As Chairman of the Lake Ashton II Community Development District, he leads a five-member Board of Supervisors. Jim oversees community support for the Winter Haven 635-home community. His single most important accomplishment on the board was assisting in the purchase of the two 18-hole golf courses. He provides outstanding leadership and management through numerous natural and fiscal challenges. Jim is the Commander of the Lake Ashton Veterans Association, a member of the LA Citizens Assisted Patrol, the LA Community Emergency Response Team, and the LA Amateur Radio Club. Additionally, he is a past member of the LA West Homeowners Association Liaison (before the current Homeowners Association). He said, “Lake Ashton is a great place for great people, and I want to keep it great for the future.” He has met personally with President George Bush regarding funds for the nuclear weapon enterprise. He is Board Certified in Homeland Security, Level V (the highest level). Jim was the person on 9/11 who made the phone call from NORAD, in the Cheyenne Mountain Colorado Space Force Station, to shut down all air traffic inbound and outgoing to the United States: “This is NORAD, ground all aircraft operations.” Jim collects drum sets and has 22 drum sets in cases in his home. His favorite drum set is a 1964 Slingerland in his living room. He was a filler drummer on Broadway for “Hello Dolly,” “Hair,” and “Promises, Promises.” He was a session drummer during the recording of “Brandy” by the band Looking Glass. Sheriff’s Service Officer Jim Mecsics has many titles. The title he is most proud of is grandfather. He enjoys his two granddaughters, Ella and Maya. Colonel James J. Mecsics (retired) is another reason why Lake Ashton is “Simply the Best.”
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